John a



(NoModL) J. A. COFPBY.

GRAVE MARKER.

No. 473,296. Patented Apr. 19, 1892.

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NITED STATES JOHN A. COFFEY, OF WVASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

GRAVE-MARKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 473,296, dated April 19, 1892.

Application filed October 22, 1891.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN A. COFFEY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Grave-Markers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and toletters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in grave-markers.

The obj ect'of the invention is to provide a simple, cheap, and effective device, a portion of which may be first used as a coffin or casket plate and afterward removed therefrom and used as a permanent or temporary gravemarker.

The invention consists in providing two outer plates, which are bent so as to form a receptacle for leaves or tablets, the whole being adapted to be suspended from a suitable frame and receive and retain objects, as photographs and mementos of the deceased, as well as descriptive matter, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims. Y

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a per spective view of my improved grave-marker, showing the application thereof. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the line a: m of Fig. 2. Fig. at'refers to detail views of the outer plates and central leaves detached.

A refers to a suitable support, which may consist of a bar of metal bent in the shape of a bow, with the terminal portions driven in the ground, the central partof the bow having a short bend a, adapted to receive a hook I) or other connecting device.

B and B refer to the outer plates of the grave-marker, which are curved or bent, as shown, to shed water and provide a space between them, within which will depend suitable leaves or tablets C, which can be readily seen by swinging said plates, the coveringplates being rigidly connected to each other at their upper ends. Upon the outer surface Serial No. 409,535. (No model.)

of the plate B is placed a suitable inscription. The upper end of this plate is bent over, so as to lie over the upper edge of the strips from which the tablets hang, as well as over the opposite plate B, registering-apertures being provided in the plates B and B and the strips 0, through which connecting means, as bolts or rivets, pass, and with the central aperture a hook b engages. Any suitable number of strips 0 can be embraced between the upper ends of the plates B and B, and from them can depend the desired number of tablets. The inner sides of the plates B and B are provided with strips (1 d, having inwardlyprojecting flanges, between which pieces of pliable transparent material-as mica or collodium compoundscan be retained to protect such mementos or inscriptions that may be placed beneath the same.

The tablets C have strips d on each side thereof to receive such objects as photographs, &;c., as fancy may suggest or custom dictate.

The device hereinbefore described is preferably made up of sheet metal, and may serve either as a temporary orpermanent gravemarker, and can'be furnished ata small'cost.

It will be noted that when it is desired to inspect the matter carried by or attached to the tablets or inner sides of the curved plates it is only necessary to slightly tilt the marker and the same will be exposed to view.

This device may also be used as a signholder or land-marker.

I am aware that prior to my invention it has been proposed to provide monuments, grave-markers, or sign-holders with a single plate, which maybe either suspended from a suitable support or be provided with a swinging cover,v,and I do not claim such construction as my invention; but

What I do claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A gravemarker or sign-holder consisting of curved plates rigidly secured to each other at their upper ends, a tablet or plate suspended between said plates, and strips for retaining covering-plates thereon and such articles that may be placed beneath the same, substantially as set forth.

2. In a grave-marker or sign-holder, the combination of the bent plates B and B, adapted to be secured to each other, said plates having inwardly-flanged strips (Z, secured to the inner sides thereof, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, in a grave-marker, of 5 the bent or curved plates 13 and B, secured to each other at their upper ends, a strip 0', retained by the same connecting means which hold the plates toeach other, and a swinging tablet 0, connected to the strip 0', for the to purpose set forth.

4. In a grave-marker, the combination of a plate B, having on its outer face a suitable inscription, the upper end of said plate being apertured and bent over, the inner side of said plate having strips (Z (l, substantially as 15 set forth.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN A. COFFEY. Witnesses:

J. C. IIAVILAND, (J. G. BERRYMAN. 

